There is a “new intensity” in the playoffs, says Walter, “and it comes from an interesting place—a feeling that the end is near.” It would probably be very difficult to play at that level of intensity for a full 82-game season, he says. In that sense, hockey playoffs are like the last two minutes of a football game, when points are scored at four times the usual rate.

It’s a good comparison, though I wonder if I should worry when such a devoted Christian as Walter says things like “the end is near.”

Walter has worked on and off in media over recent years, covering hockey for Sportsnet and TSN among others. He has also been working as a motivational speaker and has a Masters Degree in Business. (And don’t forget an acting stint as a referee in the movie Miracle).

So, may I present the ‘top-secret’ video resume that got Ryan Walter the Canucks job: